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Subject: Families First Application Process

Policy 23.01 Date of Last Review: 06/26/2024 Effective Date: 07/01/2024 Date of Next Review: 06/26/2027 RDA: SW22 Page 6 of 7 Definitions/Acronyms Term Definition AU Assistance Unit Child Only Cases in which the caretaker is a non-parental relative who is not included in the AU or the caretaker(s) is a Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiary Diversion The Families First Diversion payment is designed to address immediate and compelling financial needs and help a customer secure or maintain employment. The Diversion payment does not exceed twelve (12) months of Families First benefits. Family Assistance Eligibility Staff Any Family Assistance staff that may interview the customer and/or determine program eligibility. This may include Eligibility Assistants and/or Eligibility Counselors. Interim Benefits Temporary benefits issued to customers whose application has not been processed timely due to no fault of the customer. Normal Business Hours Normal business hours are 8AM-4:30PM local county office time. For online applications, normal business hours are 8AM-4:30 PM Central Standard Time (CST). Personal Responsibility Plan (PRP) An agreement between the Families First customer and the TDHS in which the Families First customer agrees to take certain steps to move the AU to self-sufficiency. In return, TDHS agrees to provide temporary cash assistance and additional support services to help the customer gain employment. SDX State Data Exchange SSI Supplemental Security Income TANF Temporary Assistance to Needy Families TDHS Tennessee Department of Human Services Work Exempt The caretaker is a mandatory member of the AU but is unable to work because they are: sixty-five (65) years old or older, disabled, caring for an in-home disabled relative, a parent in a two (2) parent household caring for an infant less than sixteen (16) weeks of age, or a single parent caring for an infant less than one (1) year of age. Work and/or Educational Activity The caretaker is a mandatory member of the AU but is not exempt from the work and/or education activity and either does not meet diversion criteria or does not choose diversion. Supersedes Policy 23.01 Families First Application Process, eff. date 03/01/2024 Authority 45 C.F.R. § 206.10. Tenn. Code Ann. § 71-3-118 Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1240-1-14; 1240-1-15; 1240-1-17; 1240-1-45. Application All TDHS Family Assistance Staff and Contractors